MECC Preschool Earns State's Five Star ‘Step Up to Quality’ Award

MECC Preschool Earns State's Five Star ‘Step Up to Quality’ Award

Posted on 11/30/2016

Mason City Schools announced today that the Mason Early Childhood Center's preschool program received Ohio's Five-Star Step Up To Quality Award for providing the highest level of quality for young children. Through an extensive application and review process, MECC earned the highest rating possible.

“We are so proud of the hard work and efforts of our MECC staff who make our preschool such a joyful place to learn. We love working with our students and families and preparing our youngest Comets for their transition to kindergarten,” said Melissa Bly, MECC Principal.

Step Up To Quality is Ohio's rating system that awards one to five stars to learning and development programs that go above and beyond minimum licensing standards. Star-rated programs lay the foundation for children's learning and development and build skills that are important for success in school and in life. Programs with five-star ratings:

Have highly trained teachers

Develop children's school readiness skills

Are committed to continuous improvement

Value relationships with families and communities

“MECC's preschool program provides exemplary learning opportunities for our youngest students. The entire staff has played a part in this five star recognition and we are grateful for all of their efforts in preparing our learners for continued success in the Mason City School District,” said Dr. Gail Kist-Kline, Superintendent.

About the MECC Preschool Program

Each preschool classroom’s daily schedule provides a balance of whole group, small group and individual instruction, as well as learning opportunities incorporated within center based activities. Children are given opportunities to interact with peers and adults in the classroom, as well as in a motor room and during outside play. The social curriculum is based on The Responsive Classroom philosophy, a research based approach which fosters safe, challenging and joyful classrooms.

MECC preschool teachers have a Bachelor’s and/or a Master’s degree and are highly qualified in the area of early childhood education. Each classroom is a multi-age grouping of three to five year old children who are not age eligible to attend kindergarten. Classes are comprised of one half children with identified special needs and one half children who are considered to be typically developing. In response to a 1992 federal mandate, Mason City Schools developed a preschool program to meet the needs of children with identified disabilities by adopting an integrated program model where typically developing children are enrolled with students who have identified special needs. The goal of the integrated classroom is to provide an enriched learning environment for all children during the preschool years.

Information regarding the application process for the 2017-18 school year will be available mid-December at www.MasonOhioSchools.com or by calling 513-229-4578.